Overtime Prayer: Embracing God's Kingdom, Power, and Glory
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the concept of "overtime prayer," focusing on the doxology of the Lord's Prayer: "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen." This part of the prayer, though not found in the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament, was added by early Christians to balance the prayer's ending, which originally concluded with "deliver us from the evil one." This addition serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and majesty, reinforcing the belief that God remains in control after our prayers.
The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus, is not a rigid formula but a dynamic, wonder-provoking guide for our prayer life. It begins with the grace of God as our Father and ends with the reality of evil, reflecting the dual nature of grace and truth. This balance is essential, as it reminds us of the preciousness of God's grace, which should never be taken for granted. Grace is a free gift, but it is not cheap; it is invaluable and should be cherished and respected.
The doxology emphasizes three key attributes of God: kingdom, power, and glory. God's kingdom is a community, His church, through which He delivers us from evil. The power of God is the power to love, even our enemies, as demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. This power is given to us as a community, where we confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, fostering healing and growth. Finally, the glory of God is something we partake in as followers of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus shares His glory with us, transforming us into children of God.
As we gather in worship, we are called to resurrect the true glory of God within us by repenting of the false glories we pursue. In doing so, we align ourselves with the kingdom, power, and glory of God, allowing His presence to transform our lives and communities.
Key Takeaways:
- The doxology of the Lord's Prayer, though not originally part of the text, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and control, balancing the prayer's ending with a note of praise and assurance. [06:44]
- Grace is a free gift from God, but it is not to be taken lightly. It is invaluable and should be cherished, reminding us of the balance between grace and truth in our spiritual lives. [09:30]
- God's kingdom is manifested through community, where we find strength and support against the evil one. The communal aspect of prayer is vital, as it reflects the collective nature of our spiritual battles and victories. [16:01]
- The power of God is the power to love and forgive, even our enemies. This power is best exercised within a community where we confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, fostering healing and growth. [25:22]
- The glory of God is something we share as followers of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus imparts His glory to us, transforming us into children of God and calling us to live in His light. [28:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction to Overtime Prayer
[04:30] - The Doxology's Origins
[06:44] - Balancing Grace and Truth
[09:30] - The Preciousness of Grace
[12:00] - Kingdom as Community
[16:01] - The Power of Love
[18:31] - Corporate Prayer and Confession
[21:00] - The Role of Community in Spiritual Battles
[25:22] - Confession and Healing
[28:39] - Sharing in God's Glory
[31:00] - Repenting of False Glories
[34:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[36:00] - Time of Ministry and Prayer Circles
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
2. James 5:16 (Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.)
3. John 1:14 (The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.)
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the doxology in the Lord's Prayer, and why was it added by early Christians? [06:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of grace and truth in the context of the Lord's Prayer? [09:30]
3. According to the sermon, what role does community play in God's kingdom and in our spiritual battles? [16:01]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of God's glory being shared with us as followers of Christ? [28:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might early Christians have felt uncomfortable ending the Lord's Prayer with "deliver us from the evil one," and how does the doxology address this discomfort? [06:44]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace is both a free gift and something that should not be taken for granted? [09:30]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the power of love and forgiveness within a community, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [25:22]
4. What does it mean to partake in God's glory, and how does this transform our identity as children of God? [28:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How can you incorporate the doxology of the Lord's Prayer to remind yourself of God's sovereignty and control? [06:44]
2. Consider a time when you may have taken God's grace for granted. What steps can you take to cherish and respect this invaluable gift more deeply in your daily life? [09:30]
3. How can you actively participate in your church community to support others in their spiritual battles? What practical steps can you take to foster a sense of unity and strength against the evil one? [16:01]
4. Think of a situation where you found it difficult to love or forgive someone. How can you draw on God's power to love and forgive, even in challenging circumstances? [25:22]
5. Identify a "false glory" you have been pursuing in your life. How can you repent and realign yourself with the true glory of God? What changes will you make to focus on living in His light? [28:39]
6. How can you create opportunities for confession and healing within your small group or church community? What role can you play in fostering an environment of honesty and support? [25:22]
7. Reflect on the idea of being transformed into a child of God. How does this identity influence your daily actions and decisions? What specific changes can you make to live more fully in this truth? [28:39]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Our Prayers
The doxology of the Lord's Prayer, though not originally part of the earliest manuscripts, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and control. This addition by early Christians balances the prayer's ending with a note of praise and assurance, reinforcing the belief that God remains in control after our prayers. It emphasizes that the kingdom, power, and glory belong to God forever, providing us with a sense of peace and trust in His divine plan. As we pray, we are reminded that our petitions are heard by a God who reigns supreme over all creation. [06:44]
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (ESV): "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's sovereignty and control? How can you remind yourself of His power and glory today?
Day 2: The Invaluable Gift of Grace
Grace is a free gift from God, but it is not to be taken lightly. It is invaluable and should be cherished, reminding us of the balance between grace and truth in our spiritual lives. The Lord's Prayer begins with the grace of God as our Father and ends with the reality of evil, reflecting the dual nature of grace and truth. This balance is essential, as it reminds us of the preciousness of God's grace, which should never be taken for granted. [09:30]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: How can you actively cherish and respect the grace God has given you today? What steps can you take to ensure you do not take His grace for granted?
Day 3: Community as a Manifestation of God's Kingdom
God's kingdom is manifested through community, where we find strength and support against the evil one. The communal aspect of prayer is vital, as it reflects the collective nature of our spiritual battles and victories. In community, we are delivered from evil and find the strength to face challenges together. This shared journey of faith allows us to experience God's kingdom on earth, as we support and uplift one another in love and unity. [16:01]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you contribute to your community's spiritual growth and support today? What specific actions can you take to strengthen the bonds within your faith community?
Day 4: The Power of Love and Forgiveness
The power of God is the power to love and forgive, even our enemies. This power is best exercised within a community where we confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, fostering healing and growth. The example of Jesus on the cross demonstrates this power of love, which we are called to emulate in our relationships. By embracing this divine power, we can overcome hatred and division, allowing God's love to transform our hearts and communities. [25:22]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to forgive today? How can you begin to extend God's love and forgiveness to them, even if it feels difficult?
Day 5: Sharing in God's Glory
The glory of God is something we share as followers of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus imparts His glory to us, transforming us into children of God and calling us to live in His light. As we gather in worship, we are called to resurrect the true glory of God within us by repenting of the false glories we pursue. In doing so, we align ourselves with the kingdom, power, and glory of God, allowing His presence to transform our lives and communities. [28:39]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What false glories are you pursuing in your life? How can you repent and realign yourself with the true glory of God today?
Quotes
"So starting with the didache, the Lord's Prayer with the doxology became a standard that the other Bibles such as King James and the translations adopted. So, why did the didache and the other early Christian writings added doxology to the Lord's Prayer? The primary reason came from the way that Matthew ended Lord's Prayer, which was deliver us from the evil one." [00:04:13] (29 seconds)
"Even though they all agreed on the importance of praying for protection from temptations and evil one, they found such an ending to be abrupt and negative, and they felt a need to balance the Lord's Prayer. So they thought the doxology or short praise of God that reflects God's majesty and sovereignty looks good to help Christians with a reminder that after they pray, that God is still in control." [00:04:51] (33 seconds)
"It always speaks both grace and truth at the same time. It starts with a splendid grace, but also ends with a serious truth. And that's very Jewish. For instance, in the book of Deuteronomy, especially at the end, God says through Moses, I give you, Israel, this promised land as a gift. You did not own it on your own or conquered it on your strength, but I gave to you because I promised it to your father Abraham. But if you forget my grace or my law and use it like a Canaanite, then I'm going to kick you out of the promised land. See, grace and warning." [00:07:22] (43 seconds)
"And this is a very, has an important implication to us because often Christians we see God's grace only positively and we forget it's a negative side, which is related to it's incredibly precious, incredible preciousness. And when we forget pricelessness and costliness of God's grace, for others. and take God's grace for granted, listen to me, you and I are doomed. You know, grace of God is a free gift. But free doesn't mean cheap. However, many things we receive free in our life are cheap. Let me illustrate that." [00:07:44] (46 seconds)
"Without the grace of God, we lose everything. Amen? Amen? So that's why, you know, Matthew was balancing the Father. God is our heavenly Father. At the same time, if you forget that, the evil one will have a field there with you. So grace and truth comes together. Now, let us see the doxology of the Lord's Prayer. It starts with the word for. For." [00:09:34] (30 seconds)
"Jesus never negated corporate communal prayer as a context of prayer. In fact, when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked the three of his disciples to pray with him. In the most critical time of his life, Jesus did not just pray individually or privately, but corporally, although his prayer community or companions completely miss his need." [00:14:56] (30 seconds)
"Community enables us to free from the powers. Standing alone as isolated individuals, no matter how much you are well -meaning in your closet, you are no match for evil one or any powers. This is why we do the house church." [00:15:58] (23 seconds)
"Christ identified himself with his community as a head of the church and then he commanded us to confess our sins to the community you know James 5 16 said confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that God will heal you this is one of key verses of our house church Jesus didn't tell us confess our sins to God but to each other and pray for each other and that's how God will heal us" [00:21:01] (34 seconds)
"there's a great Christian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer German theologian pastor and martyr before World War two I mean as soon as the World War two began and the many of his you know seminarians are you know dreadfully waiting for the you know draft notice of a Nazi you know the army he gathered them and then decide to prepare them to be God's witnesses in that very difficult time so he had the underground seminary secret seminary that whole seminary is a based on James 5 16 and this is and then later someone published the books of his teaching during the time and title is a life together and this is so let me read a one of the very important quote there why is it that it is often easier for us to confess our sins to God than to a brother actually God is a holy and sinless he's a just judge of evil the enemy of all disobedience but brother is a sinful as we are he knows from his own experience the dark night of secret sin why should we not find it easier to go to brother than to the holy God but if we do we must ask ourselves whether we have not often been deceiving ourselves with our confession of sin to God whether we have not rather been confessing our sins to ourselves and also granting ourselves absolution who can give us a certainty that in confession and forgiveness of our sin we are not dealing with ourselves but with the living God God gives us that certainty through our brother you" [00:21:42] (109 seconds)
"To believe and trust and obey and follow Jesus Christ our King means to partake in His glory. And there is one gospel writer who was fascinated with this idea of the glory of God. That is John, the writer of the fourth gospel. Who mentioned the glory 17 times in this gospel compared to Matthew 3, Mark mentioned 3 and also Luke mentioned 4. So, throughout His gospel, He described the life of Christ totally from beginning to end with the glory. So, for instance, John chapter 1, 14, the world became a flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have seen His glory, glory of a one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." [00:27:04] (50 seconds)
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